Taking a long leisurely drive in the country, en route to visit my home bound twin sister and also my 90 year old father-in-law, is what I have done every Monday and Friday mornings for nearly 8 years, and now every Monday, and any other day that I am needed.
It is a long ride in, between 25 and 30 miles one way, and I am sorry to say, I hate taking the Interstate.
So... I take the back roads, which may take longer, but it certainly is peaceful, most of the time, and I can almost always find something to photograph.
My final destination is in Jefferson County, but all of the images were taken in Oldham County, where we live, many at the beautiful Foxhollow Farm~
Remember to double click on the image, to view a larger slide show of the images shared ~
I am linking up with Mary for:
"Mosaic Monday"
at:
"Mosaic Monday"
at:
I am linking up with Stewart at:
Wild Bird Wednesday
(http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com.au/)
In this post I will be sharing Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows...some of my favorite birds. There are lots of pretty Spring field images, that I pass as the seasons change. I adore wildflowers, as well as bouquets, but oh do remember to spray with Cutter, or something equivalent, or you will end up with Chiggers...I promise and you will be miserable ;(
Along with oodles of Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows, there are also Swifts and other insect loving birds, that swoop these fields, and sky above, for those nasty insects.
These birds are my heroes!
On this particular morning, I was surprised by several White-tailed Deer running in a field.
All seemed heavy, and ready to give birth to their fawns any day~
There are usually a whole lot more Barn Swallows, but I had trouble locating them.
The Eastern Meadowlarks, sing me from Oldham County, all the way into Jefferson County, as I leave early, when they are also beginning their day~
Ha, I got this airplane image while getting my Killdeer captures, and so I thought, well it flies like a bird too, so keep it in the mix, just because~
No matter where I drove last week, with temperatures in the 90's in 48 of the US states, I would see birds with their mouths wide open, hoping for a cool down.
Thankfully this week, looks like it will be cooler for all concerned.
This morning began with 51'...very nice for late July.
Happy week, happy blessings, stay safe~
i just love all the fence photos! truly beautiful! i love swallows, too!
ReplyDeleteMary, beautiful photos and mosaics. I love all the birds, especially the sweet swallows and the lovely meadowlark! Have a happy week ahead!
ReplyDeleteLove this post! Really do like your photos and collages. Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteI love wildflowers and old weathered fence posts! Your birds are always amazing! What a sweet person you are to care so much for others! Sweet hugs!
ReplyDeleteGosh, these are fabulous mosaics. Wishing you a blessed week.
ReplyDeleteYou captured some awesome bird photos and also of interesting fences out in the country.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly make good use of your long round trip - the photos are lovely. I especially like the birds on the wire - they make me think of one of my favourite singers and his "Like a Bird on a Wire". Here's a link to him on youtube
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qvW63z1uzg
Enjoy!
Your shots are fabulous, as always and I love the honeysuckle - one of my favourite summer scents. Such a wonderful collection of summer.
ReplyDeleteYou gave everyone a lovely trip around your peaceful back roads Mary. As you say so much better than using main roads and if it takes a little longer, so what? Hope you sorted your strange pop-up messages out. Enjoy the week ahead.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary,
ReplyDeleteSo very nice to meet you! Your photos are truly exceptional! I clicked on each and every one and sat here and stared for minutes on end, studying the textures, the colours and the subject matter. So very inspiring. Will need to return and be rejuvenated again!
Poppy
Beautiful photos! Like you, I would just about rather be taking that country drive with my camera than doing anything else...I can so relate! Weeds are some of my favorite subjects :)
ReplyDeleteWhat great pictures you have captured! Fences, birds, flowers, and beautiful skies! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots of Kentucky! Swallows are among my favorites, too, but I haven't photographed any this year. You took some great ones! I like the Meadowlark and deer photos, too!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds in the field.
ReplyDeleteYou have some wonderful wildlife... lovely images.
ReplyDeleteI understand why you like to drive on those road instead of the big ones!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos of both birds and flowers!
Greetings Pia
Great photos of all the birds and I especially like the photos of the beautiful green fields.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful series!! The insects are heavy here also. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeletesuch a lovely variety of collages Mary and I really like the pink flowering thistls
ReplyDeleteBeautiful mosaics of views. So many pretty colours and textures. Valerie
ReplyDeleteswallows and swifts are my favourite among birds. Especialy the swifts. So nice to watch. Great shots of your birds and nature.
ReplyDeleteA lovely series, the thistles are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post! I love the sweet little swallows.
ReplyDeleteSomehow I knew that there would be a meadow lark in there! Do they do anything except sing on posts and sing!!
ReplyDeleteCheers and thanks for linking to WBW.
Stewart M - Melbourne
PS: I have posted another picture to WBW - I forgot last night!
Lovely green and tiny birds!
ReplyDeleteSo many beautiful pictures. Thank you for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteYour shots really show the countryside and inhabitants. What a bummer to have chiggers. My daughter just returned from teaching on an island off Maine and the first thing she had to do was go to the doctor and be tested for Lymes disease. They were not pre warned about the problem! She also had to dispose of her beautiful iconic boots since they had taken up residence in the lining.
ReplyDeletevisiting those that need you on a regular basis can be very draining, so I think to drive by the longer country roads is a great way to start and finish your visit. With your camera at hand, surely a calming peace will descend.
ReplyDeleteTake care and have a wonderful week. And thank you for stopping by my blog this week.
How kind of you, Mary, to take us on this beautiful ride through the country. I enjoyed every turn of the road.
ReplyDeleteGlorious countryside views Mary and far more productive than my weekly journey.
ReplyDeleteLovely images. I thought the birds were singing until you said about the heat. It's great that you can take back roads, because as caregiver you need the joy and serenity of nature much more than you need the speed of the freeway.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the ride in the country! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWe should begin seeing swallows soon as they migrate through our area. Hard to believe it's almost that time again!
All of your photos were simply lovely!
I love the beautiful composition of Wildflowers !!
ReplyDeleteSo many different photos of nature to see. They are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI think it's a bufflehead too. A FEMALE. The males are black and white with some iridescence [purple] on its head.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the heron with his frog lunch!!
And I just posted last week on my birding blog [http://id-rather-b-birdin.blogspot.com] some cute baby coots with their fiery red heads!! Stop by if you can find time, maybe you'll have to scroll down and click on "Last Weeks" link tho.